G.M. Sunshine Devotionals

What if I were to tell you, that some blessings are inflatable lifeboats that don’t bring you to shore but rather ensures that you are adequately placed for the right storm that will wash you up at the right shoreline for your miracle. This is what the Lord illuminated to me about the perspective of blessings.

Blessings are counted as an act of favor from God, that is often carried out through his people for the forward motion of the path before you. Such blessing is meant to revitalize hope. In moments or situations of despair, confusion, frustration, or need, it reassures you that God sees you, hears you, and will fill in the gaps of what may seem impossible for you when your back is against the wall and time is running out. But, the path in itself, may not always lead to a full solution or resolution; but sometimes one that will seemingly bring about further complications.

There are times that you can logically see the tribulation of the inevitable, if you were to continue down a certain path. But what do you do when that path is your God ordained destiny?

Paul was beaten, arrested, and taken into military custody (for his protection from the people) as the commander attempted to get to the root of the issue. He was given an opportunity to speak to the people and present his defense (which with wisdom he accomplished their listening ears, by speaking to them in his native language). He testified of his story and was transparent and open about his abrupt encounter with the Lord that changed his life forever. However, he had their ear, until he started to tell them about some hard truths of what the Lord said to him, that due to their stubborn hearts, he was sent to the gentiles instead. Thinking on his feet, he averted a military flogging and interrogation by appealing to the legality of such flogging without actually being found guilty. So he was instead freed to stand before a judicial committee. This trial ended up in a great uproar between the Sadducees (who did not believe in the resurrection) and the Pharisees (who believed in the resurrection), and back into military custody he went (for his own safety). None of the talks were to any avail. “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11 NIV

Up until this point, Paul’s success in the ministry with the gentiles was phenomenal. He planted many churches and had many supportive brothers and sisters in Christ, near and far. Many of whom, pleaded with him not to come to this place. Even prophets foretold him about what was going to happen if he continued to Jerusalem, and they attempted to deter him from going. But Paul was ready for what was ahead. He told them, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Upon his initial arrival to Jerusalem, he was again warned of the reports that the people had heard about him (that he had been preaching to everyone everywhere against their beliefs). Hence the uproar, that caused the military to cease him. There was no doubt that the blessing of the protection of the military, spared his life from all those eager to destroy him.

I’m not sure if you realize just how far Jerusalem is from Rome, but the path that he was heading was going to line him up with blessings (at many points) that would ensure that he was adequately placed in the direct path of the right storm, that would wash him up on a shoreline for many miracles to occur.

Paul had no idea that while in the custody of the military in Jerusalem, that the priests and people had seriously plotted a story [with vows not to eat or drink until the mission was accomplished] to kill him. But Paul’s nephew was within earshot of the plot, and went to see him to tell of what he had heard. Paul’s favor allowed his nephew into the presence of the commander who believed him and “he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”” Acts 23:23-24 NIV I know you may be thinking, all of this for the protection of one man. Proverbs 30:5 ESV says “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Sometimes we only see blessings as the wonderful things that the Lord has sent our way to enhance our lives, and not necessarily as the provision during hard times to be whisked out of immediate danger in the midst of the turmoil even while we press on through the path of hardship. But indeed, all of these acts of favor from God are the blessings that have been carried out, through his people, for the forward motion of the path ahead.

Continued in part II…

Be blessed,

G.M.